Beannaithe/ Blessed

Guthanna Binne Síoraí presents

Beannaithe | Blessed

by Biddy Jenkinson

Performed in Irish with English surtitles

“Bheith gan oirniú, bheith gan údarás”“Without ordination is to be without authority”

A nun gets involved with an organisation advocating for women priests and drags her fellow nuns reluctantly into a movement that is fast gathering pace. Meanwhile, a Bishop lies on his deathbed regretting that he didn’t do enough to bring about institutional change. The stars seem to be aligning, in this bold, provoctive new play by Biddy Jenkinson.

“This is a hilariously funny play which is very entertaining and engaging but it is also a very serious commentary on the second class position of women in Irish society, particularly in the Catholic Church. It draws our attention to the difficulties and barriers in challenging the status quo and how easy it is to be pushed into the fringes when you do so.” Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy

Producer Tristan Rosenstock says: “The recent visit of Pope Francis brought to the fore many questions regarding the role of women, with several public figures publicly stating their support for women priests. This play, which has been developed over the last two years, presents some of these questions in dramatic form”.

Professor Philip O’Leary of Boston College remarks on the alternative Church imagined in the play: “For now such an underground church must await the future – though perhaps not a distant one – but in her use of traditional songs, prayers, and references to the stories and legends of St. Brigid, Jenkinson makes clear that there is nothing in the Irish past to render it threatening or alien.”

The wonderful Rowena Cunningham (+ neighbour) built this crank for The Ballad of Reading Gaol - Wilde in prison, playing @OBheal Sat, Nov 24th. World premiere of the play starring Éanna Hardwicke, Alex Conlon & @cathaljquinn then onto Dóchas and Mountjoy prisons in December. pic.twitter.com/WA6Vg4SWRN

2 ..."Nothing could exceed their amusement. That was of course before they knew who I was. As soon as they had been informed they laughed still more. I stood there for half an hour in the grey November rain surrounded by a jeering mob."
Oscar Wilde, De Profundis. pic.twitter.com/mvlCft9OSu

1 "From 2 o'clock until half past 2 I had to stand on the centre platform of Clapham Jn, in convict dress and handcuffed for the world to look at. Of all possible objects I was the most grotesque. When people saw me they laughed. Each train as it came up swelled the audience... pic.twitter.com/JCopRMB0B3